Colleges: UT preaches togetherness in face of historically bad start

Staff and wire reports

September 28, 2015

Austin Walter, Rice football

Austin Walter, Rice football

It's clear the Texas Longhorns believe they're getting better. Often, during back-to-back games against California and Oklahoma State, they proved it. But thanks to two disastrous finishes in a row - they lost to Oklahoma State 30-27 on Saturday - they're off to their worst start in 59 years. And their schedule - with No. 4 TCU on Saturday followed by No. 15 Oklahoma - threatens to make it worse.

"It's a cycle that we're going through right now," UT coach Charlie Strong said. "But it's a cycle that can turn quickly, and it can turn in our favor."

That's a familiar refrain, and one UT - which is 1-3 for the first time since 1956 - realizes it can't keep singing for long. Sunday, the Longhorns held a players-only meeting that lasted about an hour, with veterans including senior center Taylor Doyle preaching about the need for immediate improvement.

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"We can't let it get like last year, when you get halfway through the season and it goes downhill," wide receiver Marcus Johnson said.

Added defensive end Naashon Hughes: "We can either take a step back and let it crumble, or we can put it back on the tracks."

Walter givesRice a boost

Austin Walter is carving out a role as one of Rice's best playmakers. Sitting out last season might have a lot to do with that.

Walter, a redshirt freshman from Crosby, arrived on campus standing 5-8 and weighing 170 pounds. He quickly discovered he was undersized for the FBS level. Walter spent his first year in college developing his body and now weighs 190 pounds.

"I've realized that at the college level you have to be patient in everything you do," Walter said. "You can't just have things when you want them. Sometimes you have to be patient, and once your number is called you have to show up."

Walter certainly has done that. The reserve running back leads Conference USA with an average of 32.1 yards per kickoff return. His best was a 74-yarder last week against Baylor.

Owls regroupfor new challenge

Rice's defense once again will be tested by an elite quarterback. Western Kentucky's Brandon Doughty led the NCAA in passing yardage (4,830) and touchdown passes (49) last season and is averaging nearly 400 yards in four games this season going into Saturday's game at Rice Stadium.

Rice gave up six touchdown passes by Seth Russell in a 70-17 loss to Baylor last week. Coach David Bailiff said the most important thing for the Owls to do is leave that performance behind and get back on track in a critical conference game Saturday.

"We can't let this Baylor loss beat us twice," he said. "We have to get over it."

Bailiff said he expects linebacker Nick Elder to play Saturday and is hopeful offensive lineman Caleb Williams and defensive tackle Ross Winship will return from injuries as well.

UH's Jacksonreceives honor

Houston cornerback William Jackson III was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Jackson, a senior, returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown and recovered a fumble as the Cougars beat Texas State 59-14 to remain unbeaten at 3-0.

Meanwhile, cornerback Howard Wilson has a sprained MCL and will undergo an MRI exam. He is listed as day to day.

Odds and ends

Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes' status for Saturday's game in Arlington against No. 5 Baylor is uncertain as he recovers from a left knee injury that curtailed his mobility but didn't force him to leave last week's game against TCU. … TCU wide receiver Ty Slanina has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone he suffered against Texas Tech. …

Baylor freshman safety J.W. Ketchum has been suspended due to a violation of team rules. Ketchum, a product of Lamar High School who hasn't played this season, was jailed Aug. 15 on a charge of possession of marijuana under 2 ounces. … Former Baylor coach Grant Teaff is recovering at home after being hospitalized for five days in Waco with blood clots in his lungs. … Arizona All-American linebacker Scooby Wright is sidelined again after spraining his right foot against UCLA, his first game back after suffering a left knee injury. Coach Rich Rodriguez said Wright will be out "several weeks."